Composition containing a chloride salt for use in pregnant animals

Abstract

The disclosure pertains to a blood pH modulator for use in improving colostrum intake in offspring of an animal, in improving colostrum production by an animal, and in improving postnatal survival of offspring of an animal. This disclosure also pertains to compositions comprising a blood pH modulator in combination with a calcium binder to supplement a diet of an animal, in particular, a pregnant animal.

1 .- 19 . (canceled) 
     
     
         20 . A method of treating an animal so as to improve colostrum production of the animal, improve colostrum uptake of an offspring of the animal, improve postnatal survival of the animal's offspring, and/or increase the number of litters of the animal with no or at most one (1) stillborn offspring, the method comprising:
 administering a chloride salt to the animal; and   so as to improve colostrum production of the animal, improve colostrum uptake of the animal's offspring, improve postnatal survival of the animal's offspring, and/or increase the number of litters of the animal with no or at most one (1) stillborn offspring.   
     
     
         21 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the chloride salt is added to the diet of the animal. 
     
     
         22 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the chloride salt is added to the drinking water or feed of the animal. 
     
     
         23 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the chloride salt is administered to the animal in such an amount that the electrolyte balance dEB of the diet is about 0-400 mEq/day. 
     
     
         24 . The method according to  claim 21 , wherein the chloride salt is added to the animal's diet in such an amount as to obtain an electrolyte balance of 50 to 150 mEq/kg in the total diet. 
     
     
         25 . The method according to  claim 22 , wherein the chloride salt is included in the drinking water of the animal so that the drinking water has between about −15 and −45 mEq/liter of the chloride salt. 
     
     
         26 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the chloride salt is administered in a period of 0 to 5 days before parturition of the animal. 
     
     
         27 . The method according to  claim 26 , wherein the chloride salt is administered at least in a period of 1 to 5 days before parturition. 
     
     
         28 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein the chloride salt comprises an ammonium chloride, a calcium chloride, a betain hydrochloride, a lysine hydrochloride, or a choline chloride. 
     
     
         29 . The method according to  claim 20 , wherein a calcium binder is additionally added to the animal's diet. 
     
     
         30 . The method according to  claim 29 , wherein the calcium binder is an anion that forms a water insoluble salt with calcium ions. 
     
     
         31 . An aqueous composition comprising:
 between about −5 and −45 mEq/L of a chloride salt, and   between about 10 and about 500 g/L of a calcium binder.   
     
     
         32 . The aqueous composition of  claim 31 , wherein the chloride salt comprises an ammonium chloride, a calcium chloride, a betain hydrochloride, a lysine hydrochloride, or a choline chloride. 
     
     
         33 . The aqueous composition of  claim 31 , wherein the calcium binder is an anion that forms a water insoluble salt with calcium ions. 
     
     
         34 . The aqueous composition of  claim 31 , wherein the aqueous composition is drinking water for administration to an animal in such an amount that the electrolyte balance dEB of the diet of the animal is about 0-400 mEq/day. 
     
     
         35 . A method of treating an animal about to undergo parturition, the method comprising:
 administering to the animal the aqueous composition of  claim 31  in a period of 0 to 5 days before parturition.   
     
     
         36 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the aqueous composition is administered at least in a period of 1 to 5 days before parturition. 
     
     
         37 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein chloride salt is administered to the animal in such an amount that the electrolyte balance dEB of the diet is about 0-400 mEq/day. 
     
     
         38 . The method according to  claim 35 , wherein the animal is a pregnant sow. 
     
     
         39 . An aqueous supplement composition suitable for 1% dilution into drinking water, the aqueous supplement composition comprising:
 between about −500 and −4500 mEq/L of a chloride salt, and   between about 10 and about 500 g/L of a calcium binder.   
     
     
         40 . The aqueous supplement composition of  claim 39 , which comprises:
 between about 50 and about 250 g/L calcium chloride, and   between about 25 and about 150 g/L phosphoric acid.